The Mediating Effect of Religious Obsessive Beliefs on the Relationship Between Trust and Happiness in Married Couples

Trust and happiness are important factors in marital relationships. Research has shown that trust is often associated with marital stability, while higher levels of happiness in marriage correlate with longer relationship duration. This study also examined religious obsessive beliefs (i.e., scrupulosity) and their potential relationships with trust and happiness in marital dynamics. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of religious obsessive beliefs in the relationship between trust and happiness in the marital context. The sample consisted of 356 married individuals (77% female, 23% male) with an average age of 37.5 years. The Happiness in Relationships Scale, Dyadic Trust Scale, and Penn Inventory of Scrupulosity were used for the data collection. Religious obsessive beliefs were negatively correlated with trust and happiness scores. Religious obsessive beliefs partially mediated the relationship between trust and happiness. This study contributes to the growing body of the literature on marriage studies, couple dynamics offering valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers.